Page 32 of Liar Witch

“It could be dangerous.”

“She’s visiting a Solar high priestess. It’s probably the least dangerous meeting she’ll ever have.”

“I still don’t like it.” I can practically imagine the stubborn frown on Cas’s face. “I want to get back to theDeadwood. The mages could return…”

I tune them out, focusing instead on what’s going on around us.

The exodus of the witches has begun. Already they’ve started taking off in pairs, their worldly belongings strapped between their brooms and familiars perched on their shoulders. Those still on the ground are working in a mournful kind of silence. Beyond them, a small fleet of tiny fishing boats float out to sea, each one ablaze.

The last voyage of the dead. The glimmer of stars on the dusky horizon makes the moment all the more poignant.

I say a silent prayer that Petra finds her mates among those watchful, twinkling lights.

The smell of cedar, rosemary and sandalwood is so strong. Each herb has been carefully picked and prepared to ensure the spirits of the dead move on quickly, and don’t linger unhappily in our world as ghosts. They fill the air with a fragrance that’s unique to witch funerals. The incense is so thick, it’s almost like a fog has descended upon the settlement. It coats the sea like a blanket, cushioning the flaming ships.

My eyes can’t help but be drawn to the biggest boat, surrounded by the others, flying a flag bearing a raven crest.

Petra’s flag.

How many high priestesses will I watch die before this stupid fight is over? Will it be Danika’s corpse burning on a pyre next? Elodie’s? Sophie’s?

This has to end.

I’ve been granted a second shot at killing the Eagle. I can’t waste it.

To succeed, I need information and the strength of my full harem at my back.

That means Sophie is going to give me my answers, and then I’m going to drag my pirates across the ocean to find Klaus.

The stupid siren can’t just haunt my dreams for weeks and then tell me to come and save him from his own mother. I have more than a few choice words lined up for him.

My thoughts are cut off abruptly as we arrive at the base of the temple to find Sophie already there. The moment she spots me, she nods, a resoluteness in her expression I haven’t seen before. She’s wrapped up warmly for flying, heavy furs draped around her shoulders in preparation for the cooler northern climate.

Without a word, she turns on her heel and strides toward the docks.

A good choice. There’s no one left down there but the dead, and the noise of the waves will hide her words. I take a deep, steadying breath and follow, turning just before the final set of steps.

“You two should wait here.”

A hand grabs my own, pulling me back. “What if you fall?” Cas asks, “You can’t swim.”

I frown. “Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be fine. I happen to know there’ll be two friendly leviathans nearby listening for a splash.” The shifter doesn’t look so sure, but I don’t want to waste more time arguing. “I need this information, Cas. I have a plan, but it all hinges on me understanding our enemy… I need you to trust me.”

I know it’s a big ask, considering all the lies we’ve been telling each other for weeks.

So part of me is still shocked when he nods.

“The moment we hear a splash…”

I smile and crane my neck backwards to brush a kiss over his lips. Then, on impulse, I reach out and slowly do the same to Nos.

The stupefied expression on both their faces makes me smile, despite the sombreness of the moment.

Chapter Nine

Nilsa

Sophie is sitting at the edge of the docks, her bare feet dangling in the water. She pats the wooden planks beside her, and I want to scream. Doesn’t she realise how much the very thought of dangling my feet into that blue abyss terrifies me?